GAIL to build Maharashtra ethane cracker at Rs 400 bn

15 May 2023 CW Team

GAIL (India), the leading gas supplier in the country, plans to construct an ethane cracker worth Rs 400 billion near its liquefied natural gas (LNG) import plant in Maharashtra, according to two insiders with direct knowledge of the matter.

The move aims to meet the anticipated surge in demand as Indian companies boost their petrochemical production capacity due to the expanding economy, requiring more goods ranging from plastics to paints and adhesives.

A cracker produces ethylene, which is necessary for producing products such as plastics. By 2040, the demand for petrochemicals is predicted to triple, necessitating significant investments to establish new facilities throughout the country, according to estimates by top refiner Indian Oil. GAIL is looking for land in the coastal region of Dabhol in Maharashtra for the 1.5 million tonne per year cracker project and intends to import ethane from the US for the scheme.

The company is also exploring the possibility of acquiring land in Madhya Pradesh, which borders Maharashtra, if a deal in Dabhol fails to materialise. The proposed dual-feed cracker will also have the ability to crack up to 40% liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), allowing the option to switch to a less expensive feedstock to maximise margins.

India's per capita petrochemical consumption is around one-third of the global average, with Asia's third-largest economy consuming 25 million to 30 million tonne of petrochemicals annually.

Also read:
Tata Power鈥檚 TP Saurya signs solar project in Rajasthan
Rajasthan seeks bids for KUSUM Program-Eligible 452 MW solar projects

Technology

14 May 2025

HCL-Foxconn to invest Rs 37 billion in chip plant near Jewar airport

The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of a new semiconductor unit near Jewar airport in Uttar Pradesh under the India Semiconductor Mission. This sixth plant, a joint venture between HCL and Foxconn, marks further progress in India鈥檚 semiconductor journey. The project will see an investment of Rs 37 billion.The facility will produce display driver chips for mobile phones, laptops, automobiles, PCs, and other digital devices. It is designed for a monthly capacity of 20,000 wafers and an output of 36 million units.Five semiconductor units are already in advanced stages of constructi..

Real Estate

14 May 2025

Brigade acquires Velachery land for Rs 16-billion project

Brigade Enterprises has acquired a 5.41-acre land parcel on Velachery Road, Chennai, through an outright purchase for Rs 4.417 billion. Located next to Phoenix Market City, the site will be developed into a premium residential project with a gross development value of approximately Rs 16 billion and a development potential of 0.8 million square feet.The project offers strategic access to both the OMR IT Corridor and Chennai鈥檚 Central Business District, promising strong connectivity and premium lifestyle offerings. Brigade plans to create signature residences focused on aesthetics, functional..

Equipment

14 May 2025

Liebherr marks 10,000th XPower wheel loader milestone

Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen has rolled out its 10,000th XPower wheel loader, marking a major production milestone. The anniversary L 580 XPower model, featuring a power-split travel drive developed with ZF Friedrichshafen AG, was handed over to the BERGER Group in Passau.鈥淭he transmission from our partner ZF is a key component of the drivetrain in our XPower wheel loaders,鈥� said Gerhard Pirnbacher, Head of Quality Management at Liebherr. 鈥淲ith an impressive total of around 64 million operating hours already clocked up by XPower models, this transmission has proven its exceptional robustn..